Embarking on a new chapter in his career, former Everton striker Steven Naismith discussed how his time at the Club has inspired the way he wishes to manage.

The Scotsman hung up his boots in the summer to begin to learn the trade of what it takes to become a manager.

Naismith bowed out following Heart of Midlothian’s Championship winning season for a new role as development manager at the Edinburgh-based side.

The Blues fan favourite also acquired a taste of coaching at international level, as he was drafted in by Scotland manager Steve Clarke to help over the international period in early September following a COVID-19 outbreak.

The 35-year-old says it's been a busy start but he's thoroughly enjoying the new challenge.

"It's been hectic," Naismith told evertontv. "It's a big change from what I'm used to be doing.

"You come out of school, fall into football and it becomes normal, it's a lifestyle for that long.

"It's definitely a change. Everything as a footballer that you don't think about, you need to think about as a coach.

"I have learned off some great coaches over the years.

"I try and implement my own style but take the bits that I liked from each manager I worked with."

One of those influences was former Blues boss Roberto Martinez. 

A manager and person Naismith still holds in high regard.

"I've said this many times, probably the biggest manager that I learned from was [Roberto] Martinez because we went from one extreme to the other,” he said.

“His upbringing, with a Spanish background and how he seen football was totally new to me, but I loved it every minute of it.

“That’s why I probably performed at my best under him.

“There were so many small details that you take notes of over the years and when you go into coaching it’s just about passing them on and shaping a team into a way that you want to play.”

While ‘Naisy’ is in no rush to pursue a job at the top level, he didn’t shy away from his ambition of becoming a manager at a senior level one day.

“As a coach and as a manager I will have the same aspirations as I did as a player," he added.

“I want to go to the top.

“Fortunately, I have a good job at the moment where I can learn and development, but I do want to become a first-team manager and progress as far as I can.

“Obviously, Everton is a Club that is really close to me and it had a big impact on my career.

“You never say never, but I’ll take it step by step.”

The young coach gave his opinion on the new Blues boss, Rafa Benitez and how he has been impressed by the team’s early season form.

“It was a big appointment," said Naismith. "With the history of the manager, it would be one that got a lot of attention.

“I think the one thing he can guarantee is that he’ll make a team that is solid and hard to beat, and on-top of that can win games.

“Going forward, the quality is there for all to see.

“The defence is getting stronger as the seasons go.

“It takes time [for a manager to settle in], no more so when Martinez came in.

“We didn’t win a game until September and then we went onto have a couple of fantastic years.

“This will only get better over time as the players get more familiar with the manager and the staff and what is expected.”

You can watch our extended interview with Steven Naismith above now.